African Cup of Nations 2024: Qualifiers, Groups, Dates, Schedule, Tickets, and Favorites

It's Kicking Off! In Ivory Coast, from the 13th of January 2024, the 34th Cup of African Nations (CAN), also known as the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), will be in full swing. The AFCON Tournament is a showpiece that hosts the top African football stars today. The top teams on the continent will be in full throttle in display of skills, grit and passion. Feel the thrills and delight! Let's see how we got here and what we're expecting.

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Fifty four (54) teams registered for qualification, which was played in two rounds. First round was the preliminary round, where the 12 lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA world rankings competed against each other in a knockout system with two legs. From which there were six winners.

These six then joined the remaining 42 higher-placed teams (total of 48 teams) in the second round where they were drawn into twelve groups of four. The group winners and runners-up from all twelve groups, qualified for the main event. The host qualified automatically. So, a total of 24 teams qualified for this event. They are:

• Ivory Coast;
• Nigeria;
• Equatorial Guinea;
• Guinea-Bissau;
• Egypt;
• Ghana;
• Cape Verde;
• Mozambique;
• Senegal;
• Cameroon;
• Guinea;
• The Gambia;
• Algeria;
• Burkina Faso;
• Mauritania;
• Angola;
• Tunisia;
• Mali;
• South Africa;
• Namibia;
• Morocco;
• DR Congo;
• Zambia;
• Tanzania.

The tournament commences from 13 January through to 11 February, 2024. The hosts, Ivory Coast, face Guinea-Bissau in the opening match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, on January 13. The same stadium will host the final game on February 11.

13 January, 2024

14 - 24 January, 2024

27 - 30 January, 2024

2 - 3 February, 2024

7 February, 2024

10 February, 2024

11 February, 2024.

Now that we're here, all eyes are on the groupings! Is your team in the group of death? Who will qualify? Will there be an upset? There are six groups in total, which comprises four teams each:

• Ivory Coast;
• Nigeria;
• Equatorial Guinea;
• Guinea-Bissau.

• Egypt;
• Ghana;
• Cape Verde;
• Mozambique.

• Senegal;
• Cameroon;
• Guinea;
• The Gambia.

• Algeria;
• Burkina Faso;
• Mauritania;
• Angola.

• Tunisia;
• Mali;
• South Africa;
• Namibia.

• Morocco;
• DR Congo;
• Zambia;
• Tanzania.

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• Sat, 13 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Sun, 14 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Sun, 14 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Sun, 14 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Mon, 15 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Mon, 15 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Mon, 15 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Tue, 16 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Tue, 16 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Tue, 16 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Wed, 17 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Wed, 17 January
• 21:00 GMT

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• Thu, 18 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Thu, 18 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Thu, 18 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Fri, 19 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Fri, 19 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Fri, 19 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Sat, 20 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Sat, 20 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Sat, 20 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Sun, 21 January
• 15:00 GMT

• Sun, 21 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Sun, 21 January
• 21:00 GMT

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• Mon, 22 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Mon, 22 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Mon, 22 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Mon, 22 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Tue, 23 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Tue, 23 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Tue, 23 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Tue, 23 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Wed, 24 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Wed, 24 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Wed, 24 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Wed, 24 January
• 21:00 GMT

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• Sat, 27 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Sat, 27 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Sun, 28 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Sun, 28 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Mon, 29 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Mon, 29 January
• 21:00 GMT

• Tue, 30 January
• 18:00 GMT

• Tue, 30 January
• 21:00 GMT

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• Fri, 2 February
• 18:00 GMT

• Fri, 2 February
• 21:00 GMT

• Sat, 3 February
• 18:00 GMT

• Sat, 3 February
• 21:00 GMT

• Wed, 7 February
• 18:00 GMT

• Wed, 7 February
• 21:00 GMT

• Sat, 10 February
• 21:00 GMT

• Sun, 11 February
• 21:00 GMT

The global online sales of tickets were launched on 9 November, 2023 and have gone public since 13 November, 2023. Tickets can be purchased both online and over the counter for the locals in outlets in the Ivorian cities of Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, Korhogo, San Pedro, Grand Bassam, Cocody, Plateau, Bingerville, Songon, Anyama, Yopougon and Adjamé.

The tickets are affordable and are in three categories:

• Category 3: 5,000 FCFA (about 8 US Dollars)
• Category 2: 10,000 FCFA (about 16 US Dollars)
• Category 1: 15,000 FCFA (about 24 US Dollars).

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As they say, "The numbers don't lie!" The statistics — current and overall form — of the teams in this year's tournament, let's check out the favourites to win AFCON 2024.

Current champions and strong from winning their first title in 2021, Senegal will try to build on their success by defending their title. Overall, the Teranga Lions have never been too far behind in the tournament and with Sadie Mane leading a team mixed with youth, vibrancy and experience, they'll be buoyed by what they have going on right now.

The 7-time AFCON winners are always the team to beat. Arguably, no African team has the technicality, loyalty and rich football history of the Egypt national team. The Pharaohs always come into the tournament with an aura of pride and boldness. And, that swagger will be off the roof considering the fine form of their topman Mohammed Salah. Plus, their fans will intimidate opposing teams, and that strong 12th man will be a major factor.

Talking about the twelfth man, Ivory Coast will host this year's event and as such, 95% of all games will have home advantage. The Elephants will march into the AFCON, having won the title twice. You don't always know what to expect from Côte d'Ivoire, but they can be a hard nut to crack. Eric Bailey of Villarreal in Spain and H. Kamara of Udinese in Italy provide for a team of this stature.

Currently, Nigeria is the third most successful team in the African Nations Cup history, only behind Egypt and Ghana. Several of their players like Victor Osihemen, Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Boniface are significantly helping to drive their teams in Europe. The Super Eagles are clearly one of the favourites for the AFCON title this year, based on current stats and having won it three times before.

Morocco had an outstanding World Cup in Qatar 2022. They made history by becoming the first African and Arab team to reach the semi finals of one of the biggest sports events in the world! They are currently ranked first in Africa. And even though this doesn't guarantee anything when it comes to African football and the AFCON in particular, in their current form, the Atlas Lions are definitely no pushovers!

The AFCON 2024 gives fans the chance to see the biggest and best African football stars play on home soil! You can get a ticket to watch live or follow on cable. Check out your team's groupings, match ups and match days to know who and when they play.

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